While the vast majority of sports movies focus on the easy-to-root-for underdog going against some unbeatable, over-matched Goliath, Downhill Racer focuses instead on a golden-haired golden boy. Furthermore, it's also one of the few to examine what exactly drives someone to be a champion, and asks why winning is actually so important. Making his directorial debut, filmmaker Michael Ritchie puts us right there on the slopes with his quasi-documentary style and plenty of point-of-view shots as the skiers whoosh downhill, while rising star Robert Redford provides yet another magnetic cipher. Plus, Gene Hackman plays the coach, which automatically makes any sports film great.

QUICK POLLShould Downhill Racer be higher or lower on the list?

Higher

Lower

The Stats

THE SPORT
Downhill Ski Racing

THE PLAYER
Hot talent David Chappellet

DOCUMENTARY?
No, although some of the camerawork makes it feel that way.

DEFINING MOMENT
A telling comment from Chappellet's father who responds to his son's admittance of wanting to be "famous" and "a champion" by simply answering; "World's full of 'em".

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Your Comments

1

Underdog film Dodgeball certainly remains one of the classic underdog films, not just for its inspirational value, but its usual comedy, too. And perhaps some of the others could make this list too: http://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-about-underdogs/ ranker-film Read More

RE: What the Hell!? l largely an excuse for Chaplin to show off his legendary slapstick skills and rubbery physical abilities while poking fun at sports clichés and underdog stories, but it's still more entertaining than most of the films it skewers.
ow exactly does Chaplin, in 1915, skewer films that are very very far from being made and poking fun at sports clichés that do not yet exist? Read More

Posted on Wednesday July 25, 2012, 00:42 by Evil_Bob

4

RE: Rocky - third place BASEketball should totally be in here. Okay it's not a real sport, but it is a sport movie. And it's funny as shit wise a pretty damn solid list. (Rocky 2-4 should be included as well, but maybe that's being a bit greedy...) Read More